VW holds its own in tough market

Wednesday

Jul 31, 2013 at 12:01 AMJul 31, 2013 at 9:30 AM

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) - German automaker Volkswagen AG says net profit fell 50 percent in the second quarter compared to the previous year, when earnings were boosted by a one-time accounting plus related to its takeover of Porsche.

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — German automaker Volkswagen AG says net profit fell 50 percent in the second quarter compared to the previous year, when earnings were boosted by a one-time accounting plus related to its takeover of Porsche.

Excluding the Porsche effect, the company's operating earnings rose 1.8 percent in what it called "a difficult market environment," beating analyst estimates and indicating the company was holding its own in a difficult European auto market. It said it would still achieve its earnings goal for the year.

CEO Martin Winterkorn said Wednesday the company had "achieved a solid result in a difficult market environment." The company said that full-year operating earnings, which exclude financial items such as interest and taxes, would at least equal last year's.

The company had enjoyed a large boost in the second quarter of 2012 thanks to the recalculation of stock options related to its takeover of high-end sports car maker Porsche, which is now one of VW's 12 brands. The company also makes cars under the Audi, Skoda, SEAT, and Bentley nameplates.